Door assembly and a washing machine and a dryer using the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an improved door assembly and a washing machine and a dryer having the same applied thereto. The door assembly of the present invention includes a hinge assembly ( 150 ), a door body ( 200 ), a hook assembly ( 300 ), a lock assembly ( 400 ). Since, in the present invention, the hand hold formed in the door body ( 200 ) is recessed in an inner circumferential surface of the frame ( 210 ) so as not to be visible from an exterior, an outer appearance of the appliance is improved. Of components of the hook assembly ( 300 ), since the bracket ( 320 ) having a shaft ( 340 ) with a hook ( 310 ) inserted therein is formed as a unit with the bracket ( 320 ) on an inside thereof, with a reduced number of the hook assembly smaller than the related art, an assembly process can be simplified and productivity is improved. The lock assembly ( 400 ) provided to the cabinet ( 100 ) to hold the hook ( 310 ) includes a hook holding device and a locking device. The hook holding device holds the hook ( 310 ) by using an elastic force of the hook ( 310 ) when the hook ( 310 ) is inserted therein, and release the hook ( 310 ) when the hook ( 310 ) is drawn. The locking device, operative in response to an external electric signal, maintains the held state of the hook ( 310 ), for preventing the body ( 200 ) from being forcibly opened by an external force, thereby preventing occurrence of fault and accident caused by negligence of safety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a door assembly having a hinge,a hook and a lock assembly, and a washing machine and a dryer having thesame applied thereto.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The washing machine conducts washing, rinsing and spinningprocesses for taking dirt stuck to clothes off the clothes by usingaction of detergent and water. There are drum type, agitator type andpulsator type in the washing machines.

[0003] The drum type washing machine carries out washing by slowlyrotating the drum around a horizontal axis in a state the detergent, thewashing water, and the laundry are introduced into an inside of the drumhaving a plurality of tumbling ribs formed thereon so that the washingof the laundry is made by falling down impact of the laundry after beinglifted by the tumbling ribs and friction force. The drum type washingmachine causes almost no damage to the laundry and no entangling of thelaundry, and consumes a small amount of water.

[0004] The dryer dries wet washed laundry automatically. In general, thedryer dries the laundry by introducing the laundry into a drum inside ofa cabinet, and rotating the drum, into which hot air is blown.

[0005] Recently, a combined washing machine and dryer having a dryerfunction provided to the drum type washing machine is put into practicaluse; and the use becomes wider gradually.

[0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art outerappearance of the drum washing machine, the dryer, and the combineddryer and drum type washing machine.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, there is a cabinet forming an outer shape ofan appliance, with an introduction opening 12 in one side, or anexample, a front side for introducing laundry thereto from exterior. Adrum 40 is rotatably mounted inside of the cabinet 10. A door assembly,for opening/closing the introduction opening 12, is provided with ahinge assembly 15, a door body 20, a hook assembly 30, and a lockassembly.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge assembly 15 is formed at onepoint of the cabinet 10 in the vicinity of the introduction opening 12.

[0009] A door body 20 is provided with a ring form of frame 21 having aninner frame 22 and an outer frame 23 joined together, a door glass 24provided to an inside surface of the frame 21, and a hand hold 25 formedin the frame 21. The hand hold 25 in the door body 20 is projected fromone point of the frame 21, for an example, from an inner circumferentialsurface of the outer frame 23 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, so that thehand hold 25 can be held from an exterior. However, the hand hold 25projected to exterior from an outside surface of the ring form of frame21 deteriorates an overall good appearance of the appliance, which dropsconsumer's interest who are keen on an outside design.

[0010] In the meantime, the hook assembly 30 is formed in one side ofthe frame 21, for an example, at one point of the inner frame 22 asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hook assembly 30 is provided with a hook 31,a spring (not shown), a bracket 32. The hook 31 has a projected head atone side thereof and is fixed to the bracket 32. The bracket 32 is abody separate from the inner frame 22, and has a central hole 33. Thehook 31 is fitted with the head inserted in the hole 33 in the bracket32, and the spring having opposite ends fixed to the bracket 32 and thehook 31 provides an elastic restoring force to the hook 31. Meanwhile,there is a hook hole 22 h at one point of the inner frame 22 for thehead to pass. In the foregoing hook assembly 30, as described, the hook31 and the spring are fitted to the bracket 32, and the bracket 32 isfastened to an inside surface of the inner frame with bolts or the like,with the hook 31 disposed to pass the hook hole 22 h. An assemblystructure of such a hook assembly is best shown in FIG. 4.

[0011] However, the foregoing structure of the hook assembly 30 hasproblems in that a number of components is too many and assembly thereofis cumbersome to drop a productivity, because the hook assembly 30requires fitting of the hook 31 and the spring to the bracket 32provided separately, and, in turn, fastening of the bracket 32 to theinner frame 22 with bolts or the like.

[0012] In the meantime, though not shown, the lock assembly is formed atanother point of the cabinet such that the lock assembly receives thehead of the hook 31 to maintain a closed state of a door body 20. Ingeneral, the lock assembly serves to lock the hook 31 in response to anelectrical signal from a controller (not shown) for preventing the doorbody 20 from being opened from exterior, or release the locked state ofthe hook 31 for permitting opening of the door body 20 from theexterior. Therefore, in a related art washing machine or the dryer, in acase a power source is provided to the lock assembly, the door body 20can not be opened forcibly as the lock assembly locks the hook 31.

[0013] However, in the related art washing machine or the dryer, even ifthe power source is provided to the lock assembly so that the lockassembly locks the hook 31, if the door body 20 is pulled with a verystrong force, the hook 31 is broken away from the lock assembly, to openthe door body 20. Therefore, in a case the drum is under rotation, ifthe door body 20 is opened by a strong external force, there is a riskof a fault occurrence and a danger of happening of an accident caused bynegligence of safety.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention designed for solving theforegoing problems lies on providing a door assembly which has a handlestructure that can improve an overall good appearance of a washingmachine or a dryer, and a washing machine and a dryer having the sameapplied thereto.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a doorassembly having a hook assembly structure which has a number ofcomponents less than the related art, and a simple assembly process, anda washing machine and a dryer having the same applied thereto.

[0016] Further object of the present invention is to provide a doorassembly having a lock assembly structure which can prevent forcedopening of the door body to prevent occurrence of fault and accidentcaused by negligence of safety in advance, and a washing machine and adryer having the same applied thereto.

[0017] The objects of the present invention can be achieved by providinga door assembly including a hinge assembly provided to a region in thevicinity of an introduction opening in a cabinet, a door body connectedto the hinge assembly for opening/closing the introduction opening, ahook assembly including a hook projected from the door body in a statethe hook has an elastic force within a predetermined gap, the hookhaving a fore end with a head projected from one side and a stopperprojected from the other side, and a lock assembly including a hookholding device provided to the other region of the cabinet for holdingthe hook by using the elastic force of the hook when the head isinserted therein, and releasing the hook when the head is drawn to anexterior, and a locking device operative in response to an externalelectric signal for maintaining the hold on the hook by using thestopper when the head is drawn from the exterior.

[0018] The door body includes a transparent door glass, and a frame in aform of a loop having the door glass fixed to an inner circumferentialsurface thereof.

[0019] The frame includes an inner frame and an outer frame joined fromboth sides of the door glass, at least one of the inner frame and theouter frame being connected to the hinge assembly.

[0020] The outer frame further includes a hand hold. The hand holdincludes a recess in an inner circumferential surface of the outer framefor putting a hand therein from an exterior and pulling the hand hold.The hand hold further includes a finger recess recessed in an inside ofthe hand hold for inserting finger ends and held therein when a userputs a hand therein.

[0021] The hand hold has a surface in a form of a curved surface forbeing brought into in contact with a palm when the user puts a user'shand therein and pulls the hand hold. The curved surface has a curvaturein conformity with a curved surface formed when the palm is bent byhalf, substantially.

[0022] The hand hold includes a recess in a part of the innercircumferential surface of the outer frame itself. The hand holdincludes a hand hold hole formed in one region of the innercircumferential surface of the outer frame, and a hand hold holderinserted and fixed in the inserting hole.

[0023] The hand hold includes a plurality of projections projected froma recessed inside surface of the hand hold.

[0024] The hand hold includes a sloped inner circumferential surface onthe outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold for easy recognizing ofthe region the hand hold is formed therein from exterior. The hand holdincludes a position indicating mark on the outer frame in the vicinityof the hand hold for easy recognizing of the region the hand hold isformed therein from exterior. The hand hold includes a part of the outerframe in the vicinity of the hand hold colored in a color different fromother part for easy recognizing of the region the hand hold is formedtherein from exterior. The hand hold includes a part of the outer framein the vicinity of the hand hold formed of a transparent material foreasy recognizing of the region the hand hold is formed therein fromexterior.

[0025] In the meantime, the hook assembly includes one pair of bracketsprojected toward an inner space of the door body, a shaft having bothends fixed to end parts of the brackets, the hook having an opposite endof the head connected to a middle of the shaft and provided such thatthe hook passes through a hook hole formed in a door body, and a springfor providing an elastic force to the hook when the hook rotatescentered on the shaft within a predetermined gap. The bracket is formedas one unit with the door body.

[0026] The spring is provided such that the hook has a force moving in adirection of the projected one side of the head. The spring is a torsionspring having a part held at the hook or a part moving with the hook,and the other part held at a spring stopper projected from the doorbody. The stopper is formed in a middle of the one pair of brackets.

[0027] The hook holding device includes a locking body fixed to aninside surface of the cabinet having a second inserting hole opposite tothe first inserting hole formed in the cabinet for inserting the head ofthe hook therein, and a slider slidably, and elastically provided on oneside of the locking body, the slider having a third inserting holeformed therein opposite to the first and second inserting holes, acontact plate and a head stopper at both sides of the third insertinghole in a direction of the projected one side and the stopper on thehead respectively.

[0028] The slider has an elastic force smaller than the elastic force ofthe hook. The slider is provided with the elastic force from acompression or tension spring having one end connected to the slider andthe other end connected to the locking body. The compression or tensionspring is provided such that the slider has a restoration force when theslide is moved to one side as the head is inserted through the first,second and third inserting holes.

[0029] The contact plate is provided disposed such that the contactplate comes into contact with the projected one side of the head whenthe head is inserted into the third inserting hole.

[0030] The head stopper is formed disposed such that the head stopper isspace a distance from the stopper when the head is inserted through thethird inserting hole, fully. The head stopper includes a top end havinga height lower than a height of the stopper on the hook. The headstopper is formed disposed such that the stopper is caught, and held atthe top end thereof as the head moves in an oblique direction owing tothe projected one side of the head, when the head is drawn from thethird inserting hole in a state the slider is held.

[0031] The second inserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be incontact with the projected one side of the head so that the head isinserted and drawn in the oblique direction. The contact surface has aslope substantially similar to the slope of the projected one side ofthe head.

[0032] The hook holding device further includes aligning means forholding a position of the slider for aligning the second and the thirdholes when the head is not inserted yet. The aligning means includes aplurality of dents in both sides of the slider in a directionperpendicular to a moving direction of the slider, and a plurality oflatches elastically and slidably provided to the locking body eachhaving a tooth formed at a region thereof for inserting in the dent anda fore end positioned on the third inserting hole. The latch is providedsuch that, when the head enters into the third inserting hole, the foreend comes into contact with the fore end of the head, and is pushedbackward causing the tooth to come off the dent.

[0033] The locking device includes a locking switch having a locking rodto be projected from the locking body in response to the externalelectric signal, and catch means formed on the slider for being caughtat the locking rod at projection of the locking rod for limitingmovement of the slider.

[0034] The catch means is formed at a position the catch means is caughtat the locking rod when the locking rod is projected to a position theslider move to one side fully as the head is inserted in the thirdinserting hole fully. The catch means is a projected step projected toform a step from one side of the slider. The catch means is a passthrough hole in the slider for inserting the locking rod when thelocking rod is projected.

[0035] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided awashing machine and dryer including a cabinet having an introductionhole in a front part thereof a drum rotatably provided to an inside ofthe cabinet, a motor for rotating the drum, a hinge assembly provided toa region in the vicinity of an introduction opening in a cabinet, a doorbody connected to the hinge assembly for opening/closing theintroduction opening, a hook assembly including a hook projected fromthe door body in a state the hook has an elastic force within apredetermined gap, the hook having a fore end with a head projected fromone side and a stopper projected from the other side, and a lockassembly including a hook holding device provided to the other region ofthe cabinet for holding the hook by using the elastic force of the hookwhen the head is inserted therein, and releasing the hook when the headis drawn to an exterior, and a locking device operative in response toan external electric signal for maintaining the hold on the hook byusing the stopper when the head is drawn from the exterior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide afurther understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention:

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a related art outerappearance of washing machine, and a dryer;

[0039]FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a related art doorassembly structure;

[0040]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view with a partial cut away viewshowing an assembly position of a hook assembly in a related art washingmachine and dryer;

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates a partial disassembled perspective view showinga structure and assembly relation of a hook assembly in a related artwashing machine and dryer;

[0042]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an outer appearance of awashing machine and dryer of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an outer appearance of adoor assembly of the present invention;

[0044]FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a door assembly of thepresent invention showing one embodiment of a hand hold with a partialcut away view;

[0045]FIG. 8 illustrates a partial perspective disassembled view of oneembodiment of a hand hold in a door assembly of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 9 illustrates a partial section of another embodiment of ahand hold in a door assembly of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a washing machine anddryer of the present invention showing an opened door body;

[0048]FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a hook assembly in adoor assembly of the present invention;

[0049]FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a lock assembly in adoor assembly of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view showing the hook in FIG. 12inserted;

[0051]FIG. 14 illustrates a partial section showing a process in which ahook is inserted into a lock assembly when a door body is closed in adoor assembly of the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 15 illustrates a partial section showing joining of a fixedpiece and a slider in a door assembly of the present invention;

[0053]FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view showing the locking devicein FIG. 13 is locked; and

[0054]FIG. 17 illustrates a partial section showing an anti-openstructure of a door body when the locking device is locked in a doorassembly of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodimentsof the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0056] In describing the embodiments, the same parts will be given thesame names and reference symbols, and additional and iterativedescription of which will be omitted.

[0057] An outer appearance of a washing machine and dryer of the presentinvention is best shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, the washingmachine and dryer of the present invention includes a cabinet 100, adrum 500, a tub (not shown), a door assembly, and a motor (not shown).

[0058] The cabinet 100 forms an outer shape of the washing machine anddryer. The cabinet 100 has an introduction opening 120 in one side ofoutside part of the cabinet 100, for example, in a front side thereof,for introducing/taking laundry into/out of the cabinet 100.

[0059] There is a cylindrical drum 500 rotatably mounted inside of thecabinet 100. The drum 500 is mounted horizontal to a horizontal plane,or slightly sloped with respect to the horizontal plane such that anopening thereof in correspondence to the introduction opening 120 ispositioned slightly higher. The drum 500 mounted thus has a plurality ofholes 510. The drum 500 has a plurality of tumbling ribs 520 projectedfrom an inside surface of the drum 500 for lifting the laundry upwardwhen the drum 500 is rotated.

[0060] The tub (not shown) is cylindrical and mounted inside of thecabinet 100 to surround the drum 500. The motor (not shown) is mountedinside of the cabinet 100 for rotating the drum 500.

[0061] The door assembly is mounted to open/close the introductionopening 120 in the cabinet 100. An entire structure of the door assemblyof the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10, well. Referringto the drawings, the door assembly of the present invention includes ahinge assembly 150, a door body 200, a hook assembly 300, a lockassembly 400, of which detail will be described with reference to thedrawings.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 10, the hinge assembly 150 is mounted at onepoint in the vicinity of the introduction opening 120 in the cabinet100.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the door body 200 is connected to ahinge assembly 150 for opening/closing the introduction opening 120.

[0064] The door body 200 mounted thus includes a frame 210 in a form ofa loop, and a door glass 240 fixed to an inner circumferential surfaceof the frame 210. The door glass 240 is formed of a transparentmaterial, and the frame 210 includes an outer frame 230 and an innerframe 220. The outer frame 230 and the inner frame 220 are joinedtogether at opposite sides, for an example, at front and rear sides thedoor glass 240, with the door glass 240 disposed between the outer frame230 and the inner frame 220. This joining facilitates the door glass 240to be supported by the frame 210 in a state an outer circumferentialsurface of the door glass 240 is fit in a loop form, for an example, ina ring form of the inner circumferential surface of the frame 210. Inthe meantime, at least one of the inner frame 200 and the outer frame230 is connected to the hinge assembly 150. When the door body 200 hasthe foregoing system, the door body 200 may be rotated foropening/closing the introduction opening 120 to the cabinet 100.

[0065] In the meantime, as shown in FIG. 6, the door assembly of thepresent invention further includes a hand hold 250. The hand hold 250 isa recess in the frame 210, for an example, in one side of the outerframe 230, in more detail, in an inner circumferential surface of theouter frame 230.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 7, in the present invention, the hand hold 250may be formed as a part of the inner circumferential surface of theouter frame 230 itself is recessed toward an inner side, i.e., toward aninner circumferential surface of the outer frame 230. Or, in the presentinvention, the hand hold 250 may be formed as a separate body, andinserted in the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame 230. Inthis instance, as shown in FIG. 8, the hand hold 250 includes a handhold opening 251 and a hand hold holder 252. The hand hold opening 251opens one point of the inner circumferential surface of the outer frame230, and the hand hold holder 252 having a recess in one side thereof isinserted in the hand hold opening 251 in the outer frame 230.

[0067] The hand hold 250 formed thus may have a surface in contact witha palm when the user puts a user's hand therein and pulls the hand hold250 to be smooth as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the surface may be curved asshown in FIG. 9. If the surface in contact with the palm is curved, itis preferable that the curve has a curvature in conformity with a curvedsurface formed when the palm is bent by half substantially so that theuser can put a user's hand into the hand hold with convenience. Thecurved palm contact surface permits the user to exert user's forceeffectively more than the flat palm contact surface in pulling the doorbody 200.

[0068] The door assembly of the present invention further includes afinger recess 253 in the hand hold 250 for user's convenience. As shownin FIG. 9, the finger recess 253 is a recess in one region of an insideof the hand hold 250 user's palm comes into contact thereto so that endsof fingers are inserted therein and caught thereby when the user putsthe user's hand into the hand hold 250. The finger recess 253 permitsthe user to exert user's force more effectively because the ends offingers are securely inserted in the finger recess 253 when the userputs a user's hand into the hand hold 250.

[0069] In the meantime, the door assembly of the present inventionincludes a plurality of anti-slip projections 254 formed on the surfaceof the hand hold 250 to come into contact with a user's palm. Theplurality of ant-slip projections 254 prevent the user's hand fromslipping when the user puts the user's hand in the hand hold 250 andpulls the hand hold 250.

[0070] In the present invention in which the hand hold 250 is formedrecessed in the inner circumference of the frame 210, it is preferablethat a convenience is provided to the user so that the user recognizesthe hand hold 250 from exterior with easy. For this, the presentinvention provides a variety of structures, which will be described indetail.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 9, for enabling an easy recognition of aposition the hand hold 250 is formed therein, the inner circumferentialsurface of the outer frame 230 in the vicinity of the hand hold 250, foran example, an upper part of the inner circumferential surface thereof,may be sloped. The sloped upper part permits an easy recognition of theposition of the hand hold 250 from an exterior, since only a part of theframe 210 is sloped.

[0072] For the easy recognition of the position of the hand hold 250from an exterior, a mark (not shown) may be formed on a surface of theouter frame 230 in the vicinity of the hand hold 250 for indicating theposition of the hand hold 250. It is preferable that the positionindicating mark has a design in harmony with an overall outer appearanceof the washing machine and dryer while a purpose informing the positionof the hand hold 250 is contained. For an example, a logo representing aproduct or a manufacturing company carved, printed, or attached to theproduct may be used in place of the position indicating mark.

[0073] Or, for the easy recognition of the position of the hand hold 250from an exterior, it is possible that the a part of outer frame 230 inthe vicinity of the hand hold 250 may be colored different from otherpart, or formed of a transparent material. In this instance too, it isrequired that the design is harmonized with an overall outer appearanceof the washing machine and the dryer.

[0074] The embodiment of the position indicating marking, the coloringof the part of the outer frame 230 with a different color, or formingthe part of the outer frame 230 of a transparent material, for easyrecognition of the position of the hand hold 250 from an exterior, isnot shown in the drawings, because those embodiments can be understoodwith easy to anybody even only with description.

[0075] The present invention in which the hand hold 250 is recessed inthe inner circumferential surface of the frame 210 can improve anoverall outer appearance of the washing machine and the dryer becausethe hand hold 250 is invisible from an exterior.

[0076] In the meantime, referring to FIG. 11, in the door assembly ofthe present invention, the hook assembly 300 includes brackets 320, ashaft 340, and a hook 310, and a spring 330.

[0077] The bracket 320 is projected from the frame 210 of the door body200, for an example, an inside surface of the inner frame 220, to aninner space, more specifically, to an inner space of the frame 210.There are one pair of brackets 320 formed as one unit with the door body200, more specifically, the frame 210, and projected therefrom, eachwith an end having a shaft hole for inserting the shaft 340 describedlater.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 11, the shaft 340 is fitted such that oppositeends thereof are inserted in the shaft holes in the brackets 320respectively.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the hook 310 has a head 311 at afore end thereof, and the other end inserted in the shaft 340. The head311 has one projected side. The head 311 has a stopper 312 at aprojected opposite fore end. The hook 310 formed thus is fitted suchthat the opposite end of the head 311 is connected to the shaft 340, andthe hook 310 is passed through the door body 200, more specifically, thehook hole 221 in the frame 210. In this instance, a spring 330 isprovided such that the hook 310 has an elastic force when the hook 310rotates in left/right or up/down directions within a preset range of gapfixed depending on a size of the hook hole 221.

[0080] The spring 330 provides the elastic force when the hook 310 isrotated within the preset gap centered on the shaft 340. The spring 330is provided such that the hook 310 has a force tending to move to theprojected one side direction of the head 311. As shown in FIG. 11, thespring 330 is provided such that a part thereof is fixed to the hook 310or a part to be moved together with the hook, for an example, the shaft340, and the other part thereof is supported on the door body 200, morespecifically, a spring stopper 340 projected from the frame 210. Thespring stopper 340 is projected from the frame 210 so as to bepositioned between the one pair of the brackets 320. The spring 330provided thus may be, for an example, a torsion spring.

[0081] Thus, the spring 330 is provided such that one end thereof isheld at the hook 310 or a part rotating with the hook 310 and the otherend thereof is held at a fixed part that does not rotate. That is, whenthe shaft 340 is inserted in, and held at the shaft holes in thebrackets 320, and the hook 310 is rotatably provided with respect to theshaft 340, one end of the spring 330 is held at the hook 310 and theother end thereof is held at a non-rotating part, i.e., the shaft 340,the bracket 320, the spring stopper 340. When the shaft 340 is rotatablewith the hook 310, the one end of the spring 330 is held at the hook 310or the shaft 340, and the other end thereof is held at the bracket 320or the spring stopper 340.

[0082] In the meantime, in the door assembly of the present invention,the lock assembly 400 includes a hook holding device, and a lockingdevice. A detailed structure and operation principle of the doorassembly are illustrated well in FIGS. 12˜17, referring to which thelock assembly will be described.

[0083] The hook holding device is provided to the other region of thecabinet 100, for an example, one region of an inside thereof, forholding the hook 310 by using an elastic force of the hook 310 when thehead 311 is inserted therein, and releasing the hook 310 when the head311 is pulled to an exterior. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the hookholding device includes a locking body 410, and a slider 420.

[0084] The locking body 410 is fixed to an inside surface of the cabinet100, and has a second inserting hole 411 passed through, and formed in,a region thereof. The locking body 410 is disposed and fixed such thatthe second inserting hole 411 is opposite to a first inserting hole 101formed in the cabinet 100. For reference, the first inserting hole 101is formed in the cabinet 100 such that the hook 310 projected from thedoor body 200, particularly, the head 311 is inserted therein. A contactsurface 411 a of the second inserting hole 411, to be brought intocontact with a projected surface of the head 311 when the head 311 ofthe hook 310 is inserted through the second inserting hole 411, issloped. This is for making the head 311 to move with a slope when thehead 311 is inserted and drawn to an exterior. It is preferable that theslope is substantially similar to a slope of the projected one side ofthe head 311.

[0085] The slider 420 is slidably provided to one face of the lockingbody 410, more specifically, on an opposite face of a face of thelocking body 410 attached to the cabinet 100. The slider 420 providedthus has a third inserting hole 421 in correspondence both to the firstinserting hole 101 and the second inserting hole 411. There are acontact plate 423 and a head stopper 424 projected from both sides ofthe third inserting hole 421. The contact plate 423 is formed at a partcorresponding to the projected one side of the head 311 when the hook310 is inserted through the third inserting hole 421, and the headstopper 424 is formed in a direction corresponding to the stopper 312.The contact plate 423 is disposed so as to contact with the projectedone side of the heat 311 directly when the head 311 is inserted into thethird inserting hole 421. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the head stopper424 is formed such that the head stopper 424 is spaced a distance awayfrom the stopper 312 when the head 311 is inserted fully through thethird inserting hole 421, with a top end thereof positioned lower than aheight of the stopper 312 of the hook 310. Moreover, as shown in FIG.17, the head stopper 424 is disposed and formed such that, if the head311 is drawn to an exterior from the third inserting hole 421 in a statethe slider 420 is fixed, when the head 311 moves in an oblique directionowing to the projected one side of the head 311, the stopper 312 iscaught at the top end, such that the head 311 can not be drawn to theexterior anymore, but seized.

[0086] The slider 420 having the foregoing system is given the elasticforce from a tension or compression spring, and the presentspecification takes the compression spring as an example for convenienceof description. The compression spring providing the elastic force tothe slider 420 has one end fixed to the slider 420 and the other endfixed to the locking body 410. The slider 420 having the elastic forcefrom the compression spring 425 has an elastic force smaller than anelastic force to the hook 310, for which the compression spring 425provided to the slider 420 has an elastic force smaller than the spring330 provided to the hook 310. When the hook 310 enters through the thirdinserting hole 421 to make the head 311 and the contact plate 423 tocome into contact, the difference of the elastic forces of the spring330 and the compression spring 425 makes the slider 420 to move on thewhole as the contact plate 423 is pushed to one side. In this instance,the compression spring 425 is provided such that, when the slider 420moves thus, the compression spring 425 is compressed to have an elasticenergy, to restore the slider 420 to an original position again by meansof the elastic restoration force when the head 311 is drawn to theexterior. Though the compression spring 425 is taken as an example ofthe spring that provides the elastic force to the slider 420, this isapplicable to a tension spring too in the same fashion.

[0087] In the meantime, in the door assembly of the present invention,the hook holding device further includes an aligning means 430. Thealigning means 430, fixes a position of the slider 420 in a state thehead 311 is not inserted in the first, second, and third inserting holes101, 411, and 421, to align the first, second, and third inserting holes421. As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 15, the aligning means 430 servingthus includes a plurality of dents 426 in the slider and a plurality oflatches 431 elastically provided to the locking body 410.

[0088] The plurality, for an example one pair, of dents 426 are formedat both sides of the slider 420 in a direction perpendicular to adirection of movement of the slider 420.

[0089] The latch 431 is elastically slidably provided to the lockingbody 410, disposed such that a teeth 432 formed on a region is insertedin the dent 426 in the slider 420 and a fore end thereof is positionedon the third inserting hole 421. The latches 431 are provided to be incorrespondence to the dents 426 respectively. In the meantime, theelastic spring for providing an elastic force to the latches are notshown in drawings. Once the latches are provided thus, when the head 311does not enter, a position of the slider 420 is fixed by the latch 431.The latch 431 provided thus is also disposed such that, when the head311 enters into the third inserting hole 421, the fore end thereof ispushed backward as the fore end thereof comes into contact with the foreend of the head 311. Once the fore end of the latch 431 is disposedthus, when the head 311 enters, the fore end is pushed by the head 311,and, according to this, the teeth 432 inserted in the dent 426 comes outof the dent 426, to release the slider 420, and, as the contact plate423 is pushed by the head 311, the slider 420 can move along with thecontact plate 423.

[0090] In the meantime, the locking device is operative in response toan external electric signal for maintaining a holding state of the hook310 by using the stopper 312 on the hook 310 when the head 311 is drawnoutward. The locking device includes a locking switch, and catch means.

[0091] The locking switch is a kind of solenoid switch operative inresponse to the external electric signal, provided in an inside of thelocking body 410. The locking switch includes a locking rod 440projected to an exterior from the locking body 410, more specifically,to an exterior of a side the slider 420 is provided thereto uponreception of the external electric signal. For providing the electricsignal to the locking switch, there is a connector 412 at one side ofthe locking body 410 having a wiring connected thereto. The lockingswitch formed thus is provided with the electric signal at the same timewith putting the washing machine and the dryer into operation, and theelectric signal can be provided thereto by operating a control panelfrom exterior.

[0092] The catch means is formed on the slider 420, for limiting amovement of the slider 420 as the catch means is caught at the lockingrod 440 when the locking rod 440 is projected. The catch means may havea variety of structures, typically a projected step 427 and a passthrough hole (not shown). The projected step 427 is projected from oneside of the slider 420 to form a step, at a position opposite to a partthe projected step 427 comes into contact with, and caught by thelocking rod 440, or, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, at a position one sidethereof is opposite to a part the locking rod 440 is projected theretowhen the slider 420 is moved fully as the head 311 is inserted into thethird inserting hole 421. Though not shown, the catch means may be aprojection formed at a position identical to the projection step 427. Inthe meantime, the pass through hole is formed to pass through a regionof the slider 420 opposite to a part the locking rod 440 is projectedthereto when the slider 420 moves fully as the head 311 is inserted intothe third inserting hole 421. The pass through hole formed thus is notshown in the drawing since the foregoing description can be known toanybody.

[0093] The foregoing hook assembly 300 and the lock assembly 400 areoperative as follows, for maintaining and releasing a closed, and lockedstate of the door body 200.

[0094] When the door body 200 is rotated centered on the hinge assembly150 to close the introduction opening 120, the hook 310 is inserted intothe first, second, and third inserting holes 101, 411, and 421. As shownin FIG. 14, the hook 310 is inserted in an oblique direction, in a statethe projected one side of the head 311 is in contact with the slopedcontact surface 411 a on the locking body 410.

[0095] As the hook 310 is inserted gradually, the head 311 of the hook310 pushes the fore end of the latch 431 to opposite sides such that theteeth 432 comes out of the dent 426 to release the slider 420. When thehead 311 is inserted, with the projected one side of the head 311 is incontact with the contact plate 423, the slider 420 is pushed to one sidegradually because the elastic force of the spring 330 provided to thehook 310 is stronger than the elastic force of the compression spring425 provided to the slider 420.

[0096] Once the hook 310 is inserted fully, the locking rod 440 of thelocking switch is exposed to an exterior as shown in FIG. 13, and theclosed state of the door body 200 is maintained by the elastic force ofthe spring 330 in a state the hook 310 is seated on the contact surface411 a as shown in FIG. 14. In this instance, the stopper 312 on the hook310 and the head stopper 424 are spaced a distance.

[0097] When the door body 200 is opened in a state closure of the doorbody 200 is maintained as the hook 310 is in contact with the slopedcontact surface 411 a in an elastic state, the hook 310 is drawn out ofthe first, second, third holes 101, 411, and 421. In this instance, thehead 311 of the hook 310 is drawn, moving backward in an obliquedirection toward the head stopper 424 owing to the sloped contactsurface 411 a. Then, the slider 420 moves to an original position againby the elastic restoration force of the compression spring 425 at thesame time with the head 311 of the hook 310 drawn outward. Therefore,because the stopper 312 on the hook 310 and the head stopper 424 on theslider 420 always maintain a fixed distance, the hook 310 can be drawnout of the first, second, and third inserting hole 421 fully without thestopper 312 being caught at the head stopper 424.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 16, when the external electric signal isprovided to the locking switch, the locking rod 440 is projected fromthe locking body 410, such that the catch means, for an example, theprojected step 427, is caught at the locking rod 440, and limitsmovement of the slider 420. If the door body 200 is opened in a statethe locking rod 440 is projected, the hook 310 is drawn from the thirdhole 421 slowly, when the slider 420 does not restore to an originalposition even if the elastic restoring force is provided thereto fromthe compression spring 425 since movement of the slider 420 is limitedby the locking device.

[0099] Therefore, referring to FIG. 17, if the head 311 of the hook 310moves backward in the oblique direction toward the head stopper 424 in astate the head stopper 424 is fixed together with the slider 420, thestopper 312 of the hook 310 is caught and held at the fore end of thehead stopper 424, making the hook 310 drawn outward no more, the doorbody 200 is opened no more. According to this principle, even if anattempt for opening the door body 200 is made in a state the electricsignal is provided to the locking switch, the closure state of the doorbody 200 can be maintained.

[0100] Once the hook assembly 200 and the lock assembly 400 are designedto have the foregoing systems, occurrences of fault and accident causedby negligence of safety can be prevented because the door body 200 cannot be opened if the locking device is operated at the same time withputting the washing machine and the dryer into operation.

[0101] In the meantime, the present invention having the door assemblycan be applied both to the washing machine and the dryer.

[0102] When the present invention is applied to the washing machine, asdescribed, the washing machine of the present invention includes acabinet 100, a drum 500, the tub, the motor, a water draining device, adetergent box, a water supply device and the like. When the presentinvention is applied to a combined dryer and washing machine, thecombined dryer and washing machine, in addition thereto, furtherincludes a plurality of ducts for circulating air inside of the drum, acirculating fan for circulating the air via the ducts, a heater forheating the air, and a condensing device for condensing and removingmoisture contained in the air passing through the ducts. In themeantime, the unexplained reference symbol 130 is a detergent box forstoring and supplying detergent into the drum 500.

[0103] If the present invention is applied to the dryer, as described,the dryer of the present invention further includes a cabinet 100, adrum 500, the tub, the motor, a water draining device, a circulatingduct for circulating air inside of the drum 500, a circulating fan forcirculating the air via the circulating duct, a heater for heating theair, and a condensing device for condensing and removing moisturecontained in the air. Of course, the dryer of the present invention maynot be provided with the condensing device as the case demands, but thedryer of the present invention may be the air discharge type fordischarging moist air having the drying carried out in the drum toexterior, directly.

[0104] Since the application of the door assembly structure of thepresent invention is identical both to the washing machine and dryer ofthe present invention having the foregoing system elements, repetitivedescription thereof will be omitted. Moreover, since the variouselements for washing and drying are conventional ones, no drawing of thesame is shown in the present invention separately except the doorassembly structure of the present invention.

[0105] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Industrial Applicability

[0106] The present invention having the foregoing system has thefollowing advantages.

[0107] First, the hand hold recessed into an inner circumferentialsurface of the door body so as not to be visible from exterior improvesan overall good appearance of the washing machine and the dryer, toexcite consumer's interest of purchase.

[0108] Second, the smaller number of hook assembly components than therelated art permits a simpler assembly process, that improvesproductivity of the door assembly, the washing machine and the dryer.

[0109] Third, since the putting the locking device into action canprevent the door body from opening owing to the stopper and the headstopper, the fault caused by an external force forcibly exerting to thedoor body and accident caused by negligence of safety can be preventedin advance.

What is claimed is:
 1. A door assembly comprising: a hinge assemblyprovided to a region in the vicinity of an introduction opening in acabinet; a door body connected to the hinge assembly for opening/closingthe introduction opening; a hook assembly including a hook projectedfrom the door body in a state the hook has an elastic force within apredetermined gap, the hook having a fore end with a head projected fromone side and a stopper projected from the other side; and a lockassembly including a hook holding device provided to the other region ofthe cabinet for holding the hook by using the elastic force of the hookwhen the head is inserted therein, and releasing the hook when the headis drawn to an exterior, and a locking device operative in response toan external electric signal for maintaining the hold on the hook byusing the stopper when the head is drawn from the exterior.
 2. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the door body includes atransparent door glass, and a frame in a form of a loop having the doorglass fixed to an inner circumferential surface thereof.
 3. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame includes an innerframe and an outer frame joined from both sides of the door glass, atleast one of the inner frame and the outer frame being connected to thehinge assembly.
 4. The door assembly as claimed in claim 3, the outerframe further includes a hand hold.
 5. The door assembly as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the hand hold includes a recess in an innercircumferential surface of the outer frame for putting a hand thereinfrom an exterior and pulling the hand hold.
 6. The door assembly asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold further includes a fingerrecess recessed in an inside of the hand hold for inserting finger endsand held therein when a user puts a hand therein.
 7. The door assemblyas claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold has a surface in a form ofa curved surface for being brought into in contact with a palm when theuser puts a user's hand therein and pulls the hand hold.
 8. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the curved surface has acurvature in conformity with a curved surface formed when the palm isbent by half, substantially.
 9. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5,wherein the hand hold includes a recess in a part of the innercircumferential surface of the outer frame itself.
 10. The door assemblyas claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold includes a hand hold holeformed in one region of the inner circumferential surface of the outerframe, and a hand hold holder inserted and fixed in the inserting hole.11. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand holdincludes a plurality of projections projected from a recessed insidesurface of the hand hold.
 12. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5,wherein the hand hold includes a sloped inner circumferential surface onthe outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold for easy recognizing ofthe region the hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
 13. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold includes aposition indicating mark on the outer frame in the vicinity of the handhold for easy recognizing of the region the hand hold is formed thereinfrom exterior.
 14. The door assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein thehand hold includes a part of the outer frame in the vicinity of the handhold colored in a color different from other part for easy recognizingof the region the hand hold is formed therein from exterior.
 15. Thedoor assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hand hold includes apart of the outer frame in the vicinity of the hand hold formed of atransparent material for easy recognizing of the region the hand hold isformed therein from exterior.
 16. The door assembly as claimed in claim1, wherein the hook assembly includes one pair of brackets projectedtoward an inner space of the door body, a shaft having both ends fixedto end parts of the brackets, the hook having an opposite end of thehead connected to a middle of the shaft and provided such that the hookpasses through a hook hole formed in a door body, and a spring forproviding an elastic force to the hook when the hook rotates centered onthe shaft within a predetermined gap.
 17. The door assembly as claimedin claim 16, wherein the bracket is formed as one unit with the doorbody.
 18. The door assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the springis provided such that the hook has a force moving in a direction of theprojected one side of the head.
 19. The door assembly as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the spring is a torsion spring having a part held atthe hook or a part moving with the hook, and the other part held at aspring stopper projected from the door body.
 20. The door assembly asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the stopper is formed in a middle of theone pair of brackets.
 21. The door assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the hook holding device includes a locking body fixed to aninside surface of the cabinet having a second inserting hole opposite tothe first inserting hole formed in the cabinet for inserting the head ofthe hook therein, and a slider slidably, and elastically provided on oneside of the locking body, the slider having a third inserting holeformed therein opposite to the first and second inserting holes, acontact plate and a head stopper at both sides of the third insertinghole in a direction of the projected one side and the stopper on thehead respectively.
 22. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, whereinthe slider has an elastic force smaller than the elastic force of thehook.
 23. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the slideris provided with the elastic force from a compression or tension springhaving one end connected to the slider and the other end connected tothe locking body.
 24. The door assembly as claimed in claim 23, whereinthe compression or tension spring is provided such that the slider has arestoration force when the slide is moved to one side as the head isinserted through the first, second and third inserting holes.
 25. Thedoor assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the contact plate isprovided disposed such that the contact plate comes into contact withthe projected one side of the head when the head is inserted into thethird inserting hole.
 26. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21,wherein the head stopper is formed disposed such that the head stopperis space a distance from the stopper when the head is inserted throughthe third inserting hole, fully.
 27. The door assembly as claimed inclaim 26, wherein the head stopper includes a top end having a heightlower than a height of the stopper on the hook.
 28. The door assembly asclaimed in claim 26, wherein the head stopper is formed disposed suchthat the stopper is caught, and held at the top end thereof as the headmoves in an oblique direction owing to the projected one side of thehead, when the head is drawn from the third inserting hole in a statethe slider is held.
 29. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21,wherein the second inserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be incontact with the projected one side of the head so that the head isinserted and drawn in the oblique direction.
 30. The door assembly asclaimed in claim 29, wherein the contact surface has a slopesubstantially similar to the slope of the projected one side of thehead.
 31. The door assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the hookholding device further includes aligning means for holding a position ofthe slider for aligning the second and the third holes when the head isnot inserted yet.
 32. The door assembly as claimed in claim 31, whereinthe aligning means includes a plurality of dents in both sides of theslider in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the slider,and a plurality of latches elastically and slidably provided to thelocking body each having a tooth formed at a region thereof forinserting in the dent and a fore end positioned on the third insertinghole.
 33. The door assembly as claimed in claim 32, wherein the latch isprovided such that, when the head enters into the third inserting hole,the fore end comes into contact with the fore end of the head, and ispushed backward causing the tooth to come off the dent.
 34. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the locking device includes alocking switch having a locking rod to be projected from the lockingbody in response to the external electric signal, and catch means formedon the slider for being caught at the locking rod at projection of thelocking rod for limiting movement of the slider.
 35. The door assemblyas claimed in claim 34, wherein the catch means is formed at a positionthe catch means is caught at the locking rod when the locking rod isprojected to a position the slider move to one side fully as the head isinserted in the third inserting hole fully.
 36. The door assembly asclaimed in claim 35, wherein the catch means is a projected stepprojected to form a step from one side of the slider.
 37. The doorassembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the catch means is a passthrough hole in the slider for inserting the locking rod when thelocking rod is projected.
 38. A washing machine and dryer comprising: acabinet having an introduction hole in a front part thereof; a drumrotatably provided to an inside of the cabinet; a motor for rotating thedrum; a hinge assembly provided to a region in the vicinity of anintroduction opening in a cabinet; a door body connected to the hingeassembly for opening/closing the introduction opening; a hook assemblyincluding a hook projected from the door body in a state the hook has anelastic force within a predetermined gap, the hook having a fore endwith a head projected from one side and a stopper projected from theother side; and a lock assembly including a hook holding device providedto the other region of the cabinet for holding the hook by using theelastic force of the hook when the head is inserted therein, andreleasing the hook when the head is drawn to an exterior, and a lockingdevice operative in response to an external electric signal formaintaining the hold on the hook by using the stopper when the head isdrawn from the exterior.
 39. The washing machine and dryer as claimed inclaim 38, wherein the door body includes a transparent door glass, and aframe in a form of a loop having the door glass fixed to an innercircumferential surface thereof.
 40. The washing machine and dryer asclaimed in claim 39, wherein the frame includes an inner frame and anouter frame joined from both sides of the door glass, at least one ofthe inner frame and the outer frame being connected to the hingeassembly.
 41. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 40, theouter frame further includes a hand hold.
 42. The washing machine anddryer as claimed in claim 41, wherein the hand hold includes a recess inan inner circumferential surface of the outer frame for putting a handtherein from an exterior and pulling the hand hold.
 43. The washingmachine and dryer as claimed in claim 38, wherein the hook assemblyincludes one pair of brackets projected toward an inner space of thedoor body, a shaft having both ends fixed to end parts of the brackets,the hook having an opposite end of the head connected to a middle of theshaft and provided such that the hook passes through a hook hole formedin a door body, and a spring for providing an elastic force to the hookwhen the hook rotates centered on the shaft within a predetermined gap.44. The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 43, wherein thebracket is formed as one unit with the door body.
 45. The washingmachine and dryer as claimed in claim 38, wherein the hook holdingdevice includes a locking body fixed to an inside surface of the cabinethaving a second inserting hole opposite to the first inserting holeformed in the cabinet for inserting the head of the hook therein, and aslider slidably, and elastically provided on one side of the lockingbody, the slider having a third inserting hole formed therein oppositeto the first and second inserting holes, a contact plate and a headstopper at both sides of the third inserting hole in a direction of theprojected one side and the stopper on the head respectively.
 46. Thewashing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein the slider hasan elastic force smaller than the elastic force of the hook.
 47. Thewashing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein the secondinserting hole has a sloped contact surface to be in contact with theprojected one side of the head so that the head is inserted and drawn inthe oblique direction.
 48. The washing machine and dryer as claimed inclaim 45, wherein the hook holding device further includes aligningmeans for holding a position of the slider for aligning the second andthe third holes when the head is not inserted yet.
 49. The washingmachine and dryer as claimed in claim 48, wherein the aligning meansincludes a plurality of dents in both sides of the slider in a directionperpendicular to a moving direction of the slider, and a plurality oflatches elastically and slidably provided to the locking body eachhaving a tooth formed at a region thereof for inserting in the dent anda fore end positioned on the third inserting hole.
 50. The washingmachine and dryer as claimed in claim 45, wherein the locking deviceincludes a locking switch having a locking rod to be projected from thelocking body in response to the external electric signal, and catchmeans formed on the slider for being caught at the locking rod atprojection of the locking rod for limiting movement of the slider. 51.The washing machine and dryer as claimed in claim 50, wherein the catchmeans is formed at a position the catch means is caught at the lockingrod when the locking rod is projected to a position the slider move toone side fully as the head is inserted in the third inserting holefully.